Kate and Mary Romero live in present-day El Paso, but their father, a minister, has isolated them from modern temptations, including the Internet. When he dies unexpectedly, the teenagers are left alone to cope with the outside world; take care of their mother, who is in a persistent vegetative state; and decide on their futures. Narrator Carrington MacDuffie's expressive reading is a good match for Kate and Mary, who are each struggling with different aspects of religious faith, family obligations, and personal ambition. However, MacDuffie's mostly neutral accent makes it difficult for listeners to remember that the Romeros are Latinos, and her vocalizations of older men are not strong. Further, one hears a tone of whininess in the girls' dialogue, which is slightly off-putting.
(Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780307967954
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Realistic and satisfying.
Sixteen-year-old Tatum Nova Lambert is trying to deal with her grief and is determined to bring her famous restaurateur father home to Canada. He’s working in the same French Alpine town where her sister died of an aneurysm a year earlier. Narrator Julie Lumsden conveys Tatum’s confusion about her sister’s last days, concern about her father’s return to drinking, and questions about her own identity. Lumsden balances Tatum’s complex internal struggles—about family secrets, sexuality, art, and her Métis heritage—with captivating descriptions of the French Alps and well-rounded portraits of secondary characters who expand the story. Lumsden expresses the growing sense of tension and mystery as Tatum discovers much about family, friendship, love, and her authentic self.
Realistic and satisfying. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 22 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063334304
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
Muñoz’s narration allows glints of humor and family love to balance the horrors of trauma.
Narrator Javier Muñoz’s voice is light, almost giddy, as he describes the loving, joyful, book-filled family life of 17-year-old Mexican American twins Emma and CheChe. The story is told from the perspective of CheChe, who relishes his good life. After CheChe’s El Paso high school is attacked and he is shot and loses a leg, Muñoz’s narration changes dramatically. Sounding slower, subdued, and saddened, CheChe tries to comprehend the shattering of his idyllic life. Listeners will be struck by the sweetness of CheChe’s developing relationship with Placido, his first boyfriend, and the evolution of his path to healing.
Muñoz’s narration allows glints of humor and family love to balance the horrors of trauma. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 56 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668185834
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 29, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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